Readers would certainly be forgiven for overlooking it, because not all big stories are on page one. Nor do all big stories have big headlines, involve famous people or attract the attention of national media.

“Clinton teen seeks 9-1-1 assistance for intoxicated friend,” read the headline. Clinton police reported that a teen did the right thing when a “highly intoxicated” friend arrived at his home early on New Year’s Day; he summoned help.

Under the state’s Lifeline law, a minor who is the first to report such an incident receives immunity from prosecution — regardless of circumstances — as long as the caller stays with the friend until help arrives, and then cooperates with officials. The law applies to one or two people who seek the help, as well as to the intoxicated minor.

The law was enacted because alcohol poisoning — which is often the result of rapidly downing five or more drinks — is serious to the point of deadly. Most teens recognize stupor and think the only other symptom is vomiting and think that keeping a friend from aspirating the same will keep him “safe.”

They’re not likely to notice slow or irregular breathing or hypothermia, which can lead to cardiac arrest. What they may believe is “sleeping it off” may be signs of a person nearing coma or death because even after a person stops drinking, alcohol continues to be released in the bloodstream.

It’s up to parents to discuss the Lifeline law, and more, with their children. In the face of emergency, it’s easy for anyone to panic, yet panic only clouds judgment and cannot improve an outcome. The antidote to panic is preparation. So every child should know what to do in such a situation, just in case.

The incident offers a lesson that applies adults, too, and it’s a fundamental part of first aid training. When faced with life-and-death situations, the responsibility of the first person on the scene — even a trained professional — is often to immediately summon additional help.